Thai Army Receives DTI-1 Guided Missile System

The Royal Thai Army (RTA) received a rocket launching system called DTI-1 guided missile system at a ceremony held by the manufacturer Defense Technology Institute (DTI) on Friday.

The RTA chief of staff Phisit Sitthisan was present at the handover ceremony of the system at the Artillery Division in Lop Buri.  

In 2011, the DTI collaborated with China's Ministry of Defence to conduct a research study on the development of DTI-1 rocket launchers, a military source was quoted as saying by The Bangkok Post. The locally-developed weapon was produced two years later. The rockets were then modified into DTI-1 guided missiles.

A test firing of the DTI-1 guided missiles was carried out in China last year to determine their effectiveness, according to the report.  The missiles travelled 150km when they were tested although they have a maximum range of 180km.

The RTA has ordered another three multiple rocket launchers, the official was quoted as saying, and added it plans to develop two more rocket launcher systems. Two factories will be built to produce rocket propellant with a total budget of 3 billion baht for the whole project.  

In addition, the RTA has also expressed an interest in conducting research and development on tanks and an unmanned aerial vehicle, the source added.